Liberty’s Emrick Leshko and Freedom’s Dylan Boyle placed in the top 10 in last week’s Bethlehem Catholic, Freedom, Liberty versus Parkland, Allen cross country meet on Sept. 27 at Parkland.

“I opened my stride and let that carry me,” said Leshko, who placed second (17:32.50). “It was fun because some of the Parkland guys and I were talking during it, so all-in-all it was a fun day, and that’s why I love cross country. Not everything is serious. Here you can chill out and talk to the guys and make friends. It’s just a great community atmosphere.”

A large crowd watched Parkland’s Praveen Sureshkumar win the boys race (17:13.30), and Samuel Tomko (17:32.90) and Tyler Rothrock (17:35.80), also for Parkland, place third and fourth.

Boyle came in next (17:37.70).

“My whole goal was to keep a steady pace and save a little energy for the Paul Short Invitational, so I was sticking with the two Parkland kids in front of me the whole time,” he said. “Hills are my strong point, so I go up them efficiently. I didn’t really do a big kick, but it was fine.”

Parkland clinched the next four spots, followed by Jack Huie (18:10.60), Owen Reilly (18:13.10), and Cole Ruhf (18:14.00) all for Liberty and Joe Bauer (18:15.00) for Freedom.

Bethlehem Catholic’s Mekai Britt competed under the weather last week but finished in 17th place (18:40.10).

“The last two weeks I was building momentum, dropping my times, but this week I was dealing with a severe cold, and today I was definitely feeling it, but I pushed through it, and this Friday at Paul Short, hopefully I can go sub 18:00,” Britt said. “I try to control my stride and open it up toward the end when I’m running a little bit faster ... but I also want to perfect my form, so I can use my stride as best as possible. As an athlete, as a competitor, you’re always hungry. You have to give as much effort as possible and not worry about the time. Today, I’m proud of myself because I pushed hard.”

Freedom’s Ryan Parkin came in 19th (18:46.80), and Parkland’s Logan McEvoy was 20th (18:48.80).

In team scores, Liberty’s boys defeated Allen, 15-50, but lost to Parkland, 19-44.

Freedom’s boys also defeated Allen, 15-50, but lost to Parkland, 17-46.

Team scores for Becahi were unavailable.